If you've ever searched for a home, you've likely visited one of two sites, Realtor.com or MLS.com. But you may not realize there's a simpler, faster way to cruise for real estate that picks up for-sale-by-owner offerings and properties not listed on sites powered by the official MLS database.
Enter Google.
Google Maps Real Estate scours the Web in search of listings and plots them on its world-famous maps with an interface that makes finding for your three-bedroom ranch easier than ordering a pizza.
Not only can you see home listings in a blink, by neighborhood, price and size, but you can drop down to Google's street level view and check out the neighborhood without leaving the couch. See how close you are to schools, a dry cleaner, pizza place or gym. Then map out exactly how far your commute to work will be. It doesn't get much easier.
"A revolution in the world of real estate I would say," posted one user Google maps user. "It's the greatest thing online real estate has ever experienced."
That may be stretching it a bit right now because the volume of listings is not as deep as the MLS -- but give it time. It won't be long before folks figure Google Maps Real Estates offers the two "f's" -- fast and free.
Watch this video to see how it works.
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